Politics

Joe Biden's Trips to London and Paris Cost More Than $1 Million

Receipts from Vice President Joe Biden's trips to London and Paris have been uncovered, revealing that he spent more than $1 million on hotel stays and $322,000 on limo services.

The receipts state that his office spent $321,665 on a limousine company in London, as well as $459,338 for a one night's stay in London and $585,000 for a night stay in Paris.

His staff used the limo company to get around as they are not allowed to drive themselves. Biden also had his own limousine flown in from the U.S.

The bill was first reported after the Weekly Standard discovered the bills online, where federal officials posted contract filings for the expenses.

The trips happened in late February. He and his staff stayed at the Hyatt Regency London and the Hotel Intercontinental Paris Le Grand.

An official at the State Department said that the costs are typical for a high-level travel across multiple administrations.

"The contract costs cover the entire range of support, including accommodations for military, communications, secret service staff, and other support professionals. Security experts are also required to travel in advance of the president or vice president. Safety and security are not negotiable," they said.

Costly trips abroad are often criticized by conservatives who think the government spends too much on traveling.

People took to Twitter to unleash their anger over the hefty price tag, with many people pointing out that the trip came just three weeks before the sequester budget measure went into effect.

"Bet that's a lot of White House tours," Brad Dayspring, a strategist for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, tweeted.

Ann Coulter also took to Twitter to make a joke about Biden's trip, saying "we need to keep him out of the mini-bar."

In the contract, it states that his London trip required 136 hotel rooms for his crew and they likely needed the same accommodations in Paris.

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